"O.C. CABBAGES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 153, 28 June 1919, Page 17

"O.C. CABBAGES.

It is stated that when the thaw begins in Northern Russia -our troops will be encouraged to grow their own vegetables (says a writer in the "Daily Chronicle"). One hopes that this useful scheme will not be strangled by red tape, as was the fate of a similar scheme in this oountry. The writer was f serving at a famous garrison town in England in 1016, when orders came round that the growing of vegetables by the troops was to be encouraged. We had already planted cabbages in the flower beds around our mess, and we proceeded to do the same on every available piece of ground. Then "our troubles liegan. Red-hatted staff officers, from " Command," known popularly as "O.C. Cabbages," came down and solemnly inspected our crops amid much saluting by adjutant and quartermaster. Later, came wonderful forms on which we rendered returns which gave the life history of every cabbage and the cost of his upkeep and schooling. Then our messing officer was ordered to perform some wonderful juggling in his books by which he bought those cabbages, though as they were already regimental property, it was never clear from whom we bought them. Finally, as there happened to be a war on, and we were rather busy, we gave up the cabbage idea altogether, and the craze for Army Forms killed a good idea.